GAEP Mission
The Georgia Association of Environmental Professionals seeks to advance professionalism among Georgia’s environmental practitioners by promoting a holistic understanding of environmental issues through creating forums for the discussion of issues and ideas, providing multidisciplinary continuing education, sharing innovative solutions, and developing relationships with other environmental professionals in Georgia and nationwide.
Meet Our Executive Committee
PRESIDENT
Dan Childress
Program/Client manager, kemron
Dan was born in Tennessee and grew up across the Southeast. He received his BA in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia where he also played football (Go Hoos!). Over his 14+ years in the environmental profession, Dan has led oil spill cleanup teams on the Gulf Coast, worked as a federal contractor for the EPA, conducted site visits across the Southeast and Caribbean, and currently serves as a Program and Client Manager with KEMRON. When he’s not working (or running after his two small children), you’ll find Dan tinkering with unnecessary home improvements or getting in over his head on the next woodworking project. A perfect Saturday includes an early round of golf, an afternoon at one of Atlanta’s kid-friendly breweries with his family, and a glass of wine over dinner with his wife, Laura.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Diana Gu
ecologist, HDR
Diana graduated from the University of Florida in 2014 with a BS in Natural Resource Conservation, BA in Political Science, and a minor in Sustainability Studies. She has 3 years of experience in field biology working in the Southeast and Pacific Northwest for agencies such as the BLM and USFWS and 4 years of experience in environmental consulting. At Atkins, Diana worked as an in-house and support services ecologist for GDOT projects. Currently, Diana works at HDR specializing in transportation projects while supporting hydropower, solar power, and rail environmental surveys and permitting. Prior to her environmental consulting career, Diana conducted boat surveys of piscivorous colonial waterbirds along the Columbia River in Washington, led sea turtle nesting surveys and nest productivity assessments at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, and conducted vegetation surveys for the Sage Grouse Initiative in Idaho. In her spare time Diana enjoys playing video games with her cat Leopold, playing music with her friends, biking, meditating, and making pasta.
VICE PRESIDENT / naep chapter representative
Lauren Schramm
NEPA manager, Pond
Originally from Northern Vermont, Lauren holds a Bachelor's degree from Alfred University (NY) and earned her MS from Clemson University. Lauren embarked on her career in a Texas freshwater mussel lab before relocating to Atlanta in 2017. As a project manager, she successfully led a team of scientists specializing in NEPA work for cell towers across 29 states. Lauren has since transitioned to working with additional lead agencies and Pond and Company, where she currently serves as the manager of a NEPA team. In her free time, Lauren manages a mini farm, indulges in painting, hand-building ceramic art, and dedicates time to volunteering.
TREASURER
Jake Dohm
Environmental Scientist, GHD
Jake was raised in the Washington DC area and has lived in the Metro Atlanta area for nearly 20 years. He completed his college studies in Ecology and Environmental Science at the University of Maine in 2012 and has been working in the environmental services industry ever since. Jake’s environmental career has concentrated on managing projects across the southeast ranging from environmental remediation, industrial hygiene, environmental due diligence, and safety. When he’s not serving his clients, Jake is spending time with his wife and four children (soon to be five in April!) enjoying camping, hiking, and working in his garden.
Newsletter Director
Alanna James
Senior Ecologist, Georgia department of transportation
Born & raised in Connecticut, Alanna relocated to Georgia with her family and graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College with a BS in Environmental Science in 2018. Alanna currently works as a Senior Ecologist for the Georgia Department of Transportation. She has experience collecting groundwater & surface water samples, protected species surveys, & wetland and stream delineations. In her downtime, Alanna enjoys spending time with her husband & their two dogs, Scooby & MoMo.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
Karen Marie Trujillo
SR. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST/BIOLOGIST, AECOM
Karen (along with her three siblings) was born and raised in Atlanta to Cuban parents. Karen graduated from Spring Hill College with a BS in Marine Biology. She moved to Miami and started her career working for Miami-Dade County DERM and then for URS in Miami, where her work focused on wetland delineations, T&E species surveys, 404/401 permitting, and NEPA studies, mostly for FDOT. She moved back to Atlanta with URS (now AECOM) in 2008 and has expanded her work base to include environmental compliance and auditing and spent a year in Puerto Rico doing NEPA work. Karen enjoys spending time with friends and family (including fur babies), traveling, dancing, playing kickball, being outdoors, and watching sports.
secretary
Sam Roberts, AICP
Community Planner, National Park Service
Sam was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, and ended up in Atlanta with stops in Portland, Oregon, and Tucson, Arizona along the way. He received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from Portland State University in 2017. Sam previously worked as a planning consultant with a focus on analyzing the land use and environmental effects associated with large infrastructure projects and helping shepherd these projects through federal, state, and local approval processes. He currently works as a Community Planner with the National Park Service in the Land and Water Conservation Fund; helping conserve, expand, and establish park and recreational lands throughout the eastern U.S. When he’s not working, Sam can be found biking, kayaking, snowboarding, road tripping, rooting for Seattle sports teams, or exploring Atlanta.
SCHOLARSHIP DIRECTOR
Alexis C. Harris
Environmental Compliance Specialist, City of Atlanta
Atlanta native Alexis C. Harris knew from a very young age that environmentalism was her passion. She earned her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental Science with a focus in Urban Ecology and Sustainable Development from Georgia State University in 2017. Since then, Alexis gained experience as a Natural Resource Scientist, conducting wetland delineations and endangered species surveys. She continued her work as an Environmental Scientist by working on Phase I & II projects as well as industrial hygiene projects during her time as a Certified Radon Professional. Alexis currently works for the City of Atlanta, Department of Grants and Community Development as an Environmental Compliance Specialist conducting environmental reviews under U.S. HUD regulation. Alexis enjoys food festivals, traveling, bowling, and dedicating time to her organization, Black Girl, Green Earth - a social organization geared towards environmental education amongst Black girls!
social DIRECTOR
Samantha Woerle
Junior support services ecologist, r2t
Originally from PA, Samantha attended Florida Southern College. She currently works for R2T, Inc. as a Junior Support Services Ecologist at the Georgia Department of Transportation. In her free time, Samantha loves being outside hiking a new trail or walking the BeltLine. She also enjoys developing her artistic side, hosting board game nights, exploring new restaurants, and traveling.